Canberra chief executive Don Furner has defended the club's decision to stick by bad boy centre Blake Ferguson after the NSW star's registration was reinstated by the NRL on Tuesday.

Ferguson had been suspended for over a month after he was charged with indecent assault on a female at a Sydney bar 24 hours before he linked up with the NSW State of Origin team for game two of the series.

It was the latest in a long line of indiscretions by the former Cronulla back and led to the NRL suspending his registration because of repeated behavioural issues involving alcohol.

Ferguson appeared in court on July 16 where he entered a not guilty plea and the case will return to court in September.

Since being stood down the 23-year-old has participated in an intensive four-week program of rehabilitation which has involved counselling on the use of alcohol.

The Raiders were under pressure to axe Ferguson, who was stood down earlier this season after missing a training session following an afternoon drinking binge with former team-mate Josh Dugan.

Serial offender Dugan, who was with Ferguson on the night the alleged assault took place, was subsequently shown the door in March.

Furner was also behind the decision to sack Todd Carney in 2009 and admitted there was a long discussion by the board after the allegations were made against Ferguson.

But he insisted the club had acted properly by not sacking him before he had had his day in court.

Blake has done a lot of work over the last four weeks and it has been a tough time for him.

Canberra Raiders CEO Don Furner

"Blake has done a lot of work over the last four weeks and it has been a tough time for him," Furner said.

"It doesn't worry us at all what people think. Whatever decision you make people are going to query it.

"If you make decisions on what you should do because it seems the most popular thing to do then you are not doing the job properly."

Ferguson has not been named in the Canberra side to play St George Illawarra on Saturday, where Dugan is now plying his trade, but Furner said he would not be surprised if he was slated for a start later this week.

"It's up to the coaches but he is able to play which is the most important thing," he said.

"It's been good to have Fergo back, he's had a spring in his step this week.

"We haven't seen too much of him since it all happened as he has been in Sydney going through his rehab program.

"It's been hard for him to have all this played out in the media but the important thing here is that he has not been found guilty of anything yet and we're pleased to have him back."

The NRL's chief operating officer Jim Doyle said he was pleased with the progress Ferguson was making with his rehabilitation but stressed allowing him to play was dependent on him continuing.

"This has been a thorough and detailed process," Doyle said.

"It has involved the integrity unit, the welfare and education team and the Canberra club.

"Issues like these are not solved overnight but Blake and the club have committed to a number of steps going forward and we will continue to work with them."